102 Equal Educational Opportunity

Code 102

EQUAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY

It is the goal of the board to develop a healthy social, intellectual, emotional, and physical self-concept in the students enrolled in the school district. Each student attending school will have the opportunity to use its education program and services as a means for self-improvement and individual growth. In so doing, the students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that assures each student the same educational opportunity.

It is the policy of theThe Riverside Community School District does not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. The belief in equal educational opportunity serves as a guide for the board and employees in making decisions relating to school district facilities, employment, selection of educational materials, equipment, curriculum, and regulations affecting students. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy please contact Stephanie Anderson, Superintendent, 330 Pleasant Street Carson, IA, 712-484-2212

The board requires all persons, agencies, vendors, contractors and other persons and organizations doing business with or performing services for the school district to subscribe to all applicable federal and state laws, executive orders, rules and regulations pertaining to contract compliance and equal opportunity

Board policies, rules and regulations affect students while they are on school distrcit property within jurisdiction of the achool distrcit, while on school owned and/or operated school or chartered vehicles, while attending or engaged in schoolactivites, and while away from school grounds if misconduct will directly affect the good order, efficiant management and welfare of the school distrcit.

Inquires by students regarding compliance with equal eucationaml opperotunites and affirmative action lwas and opolcies, incuding but not limited to cmplainta of discrimination, are directed to the Affiramative Action Coordiantor by writing the Affiramative Action Coordinator, Riverside Community School Distrcit, 330 Pleasant Street, Carson IA; or by telephoning 712-484-2212.

Inquires by students regarding compliance with equal opportunity and affiramtive action laws and policies, incudingh but not limited to complaints of discrimination, may also be directed in writing to the Director of Region VI Office of Civil Rights, U. S. Department of Education, John C. Klucznski Federal Building, 230 S Dearborn Street, 37th Floor, Chicago, IL, 60604, 312-730-1560, fax 312-1576 OCRChicago@ed.gov, the Iowa Civil Rights Commissioner, https://icrc.iowa.gov, (515) 281-4121 or the Iowa Dept. of Education, Grimes State Office Bldg., Des Moines, IA 50319. (515) 281-5294. This inquiry or complaint to the federal or state office may be done instead of, or in addition to, an inquiry or complaint at the local level.

Legal Reference:

20 U.S.C. §§ 1221 et seq.

20 U.S.C. §§ 1681 et seq.

20 U.S.C. §§ 1701 et seq.

29 U.S.C. § 206 et seq.

29 U.S.C. § 794

42 U.S.C. §§ 2000d and 2000e.

42 U.S.C. §§ 12101 et seq.

34 C.F.R. Pt. 100.

34 C.F.R. Pt. 104.

Iowa Code §§ 216.6; 216.9; 256.11; 280.3. 281 I.A.C. 12

Approved 9-13-93 Reviewed 11-4-16 Revised 3-18-24

102.E1 Annual/Continuous Notice of Nondiscrimination

Code No. 102.E1

ANNUAL/CONTINUOUS NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION

The District offers career and technical programs in the following areas of study:

Agricultural, food, and natural resources

Arts, communication, and information services

Applied sciences, technology, engineering, and manufacturing, including transportation, distribution, logistics, architecture, and construction

Business, finance, marketing and management

It is the policy of the Riverside Community School District to not discriminate in educational programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity, and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have any questions or a grievance related to this policy please contact Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Anderson, Riverside Community School District, 330 Pleasant Street, Carson, IA, 712-484-2212, sanderson@riverside.k12.ia.us

This individual has been designated by the District to coordinate the District’s efforts to comply with federal and/or state non-discrimination laws.

Approved 11-21-16 Reviewed Revised 3-18-24

102.E2 Grievance Form for Complaints of Discrimination

Code No. 102.E2

GRIEVANCE FORM FOR COMPLAINTS OF DISCRIMINATION OR NON-COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL OR STATE REGULATIONS REQUIRING NON-DISCRIMINATION

I, , am filing this grievance because

(Attach additional sheets if necessary)

Describe incident or occurrence as accurately as possible: (Attach additional sheets if necessary)

Signature Address:

Phone Number:

If student, name:

Grade Level:

Attendance Center:

Updated 2-18-2019

102.E3 Grievance Documentation

Code No. 102.E3

GRIEVANCE DOCUMENTATION

Name of Individual Alleging Discrimination or Non-Compliance

Name

Grievance

Date

State the nature of the complaint and the remedy requested

Indicate Principal’s or Supervisor’s response or action to above complaint

Signature of Principal or Supervisor

Updated 2-18-2019

102.E4 Notice of Section 504 Student and Parental Rights

Code No. 102.E4

NOTICE OF SECTION 504 STUDENT AND PARENTAL RIGHTS

The Riverside Community School District does not discriminate in its educational programs and activities on the basis of a student's disability. It has been determined that your child has a qualifying disability for which accommodations may need to be made to meet his or her individual needs as adequately as the needs of other students. As a parent, you have the right to the following:

Participation of your child in school district programs and activities, including extracurricular programs and activities, to the maximum extent appropriate, free of discrimination based upon the student's disability and at the same level as students without disabilities;
Receipt of free educational services to the extent they are provided students without disabilities:
Receipt of information about your child and your child's educational programs and activities in your native language;
Notice of identification of your child as having a qualifying disability for which accommodations may need to be made and notice prior to evaluation and placement of your child and right to periodically request a re-evaluation of your child;
Inspect and review your child's educational records including a right to copy those records for a reasonable fee; you also have a right to ask the school district to amend your child's educational records if you feel the information in the records is misleading or inaccurate; should the school district refuse to amend the records, you have a right to a hearing and to place an explanatory letter in your child's file explaining why you feel the records are misleading or inaccurate; and
Hearing before an impartial hearing officer if you disagree with your child's evaluation or placement; you have a right to counsel at the hearing and have the decision of the impartial hearing officer reviewed.

It is the policy of the Riverside Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions, a grievance or any inquiries concerning the school district’s compliance with the regulations implementing Title VI, Title IX, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 504 or Iowa Code 280.3 should be directed to Dr. Stephanie Anderson Superintendent of Schools, 330 Pleasant St, Carson, IA, 712-484-2212 or sanderson@riverside.k12.ia.us, who has been designated by the school district to coordinate the school district’s efforts to comply with the regulations implementing Title VI, Title IX, the ADA, 504 and Iowa Code 280.3.

Approved: 6-1-09 Reviewed: 11-4-16 Revised: 3-18-24

102.R1 Grievance Procedure

Code No. 102.R1

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

Students, parents of students, employees, and applicants for employment in the school district have the right to file a formal complaint alleging discrimination. The district has policies and procedures in place to identify and investigate complaints alleging discrimination. If appropriate, the district will take steps to prevent the recurrence of discrimination and to correct its discriminatory effects on the Complainant and others.

A Complainant may attempt to resolve the problem informally by discussing the matter with a building principal or a direct supervisor. However, the Complainant has the right to end the informal process at any time and pursue the formal grievance procedures outlined below. Use of the informal or formal grievance procedure is not a prerequisite to the pursuit of other remedies. Please note that informal processes and procedures are not to be used in certain circumstances (e.g., sexual harassment and sexual assault).

Filing a Complaint

A Complainant who wishes to avail himself/herself of this grievance procedure may do so by filing a complaint with the equity coordinator(s). An alternate will be designated in the event it is claimed that the equity coordinator or superintendent committed the alleged discrimination or some other conflict of interest exists. Complaints shall be filed within Eighty (80) of the event giving rise to the complaint or from the date the Complainant could reasonably become aware of such occurrence. The Complainant will state the nature of the complaint and the remedy requested. The equity coordinator(s) shall assist the Complainant as needed.

Investigation

Within Fifteen (15) working days, the equity coordinator will begin the investigation of the complaint or appoint a qualified person to undertake the investigation (hereinafter “equity coordinator”). If the Complainant is under 18 years of age, the equity coordinator shall notify his or her parent(s)/guardian(s) that they may attend investigatory meetings in which the Complainant is involved. The complaint and identity of the Complainant, Respondent, or witnesses will only be disclosed as reasonably necessary in connection with the investigation or as required by law or policy. The investigation may include, but is not limited to the following:

A request for the Complainant to provide a written statement regarding the nature of the complaint;
A request for the individual named in the complaint to provide a written statement;
A request for witnesses identified during the course of the investigation to provide a written statement;
Interviews of the Complainant, Respondent, or witnesses;
An opportunity to present witnesses or other relevant information; and
Review and collection of documentation or information deemed relevant to the investigation.

Within Sixty (60) working days, the equity coordinator shall complete the investigation and issue a report with respect to the findings.

The equity coordinator shall notify the Complainant and Respondent of the decision within Five (5) working days of completing the written report. Notification shall be by U.S. mail, first class.

Decision and Appeal

The complaint is closed after the equity coordinator has issued the report, unless within Ten (10)working days after receiving the decision, either party appeals the decision to the superintendent by making a written request detailing why he/she believes the decision should be reconsidered. The equity coordinator shall promptly forward all materials relative to the complaint and appeal to the superintendent. Within Thirty (30) working days, the superintendent shall affirm, reverse, amend the decision, or direct the equity coordinator to gather additional information. The superintendent shall notify the Complainant, Respondent, and the equity coordinator of the decision within Five (5) working days of the decision. Notification shall be by U.S. mail, first class.

The decision of the superintendent shall be final.

The decision of the superintendent in no way prejudices a party from seeking redress through state or federal agencies as provided by in law.

This policy and procedures are to be used for complaints of discrimination, in lieu of any other general complaint policies or procedures that may be available.

If any of the stated timeframes cannot be met by the district, the district will notify the parties and pursue completion as promptly as possible.

Retaliation against any person, because the person has filed a complaint or assisted or participated in an investigation, is prohibited. Persons found to have engaged in retaliation shall be subject to discipline by appropriate measures.

Updated 3-18-24